How to choose a duvet: Find the filling, tog and size that’s best for you

Knowing how to choose a duvet to suit your own individual sleeping habits and personal preferences can be tricky as there are a lot of things to consider from the tog rating to the filling and size.

According to Dreams research into sleep, we spend about 26 years of our life sleeping, which helps maintain our physical and mental health; immunity and even our weight, so buying the right duvet to ensure a good night’s sleep is vital to our health and wellbeing.

For example, if you find you overheat in the night, a cooling duvet might be best suited to maintain your body temperature while you sleep. On the contrary, if your bedroom gets cold in the winter months, you might want to buy a winter duvet to keep you toasty throughout the frosty months. We'd advise purchasing a summer duvet too as well as a winter one for when the weather heats up at night.

From filling to tog and size, we've compiled a guide on how to choose a duvet to help you find the perfect duvet for you.

How to choose a duvet - which duvet filling should you get?

There are two types of filling when it comes to duvets: natural and synthetic. If you suffer from allergies go for a synthetic duvet filling.

Natural fillings

Natural duvets are soft and breathable. They are either filled with duck or goose feathers or down.

Feather duvets: Feather duvets are usually the least expensive option however they are a little heavier as the feathers are larger and robust.

Down-filled duvets: These are usually made with feathers from the breast area of a bird and are usually lightweight and warm making them better suited to the winter months. Swedish, Hungarian or Canadian down is a good option as they are colder places and therefore are naturally designed to keep warm in freezing conditions.

Feather and down: A mixture of the two can provide both a good level of warmth from the down and heaviness from the feathers.

Wool: Naturally hypoallergenic, it's ideal for those with allergies wanting a natural duvet. While it's great for keeping you warm, it's also great for regulating body temperature and wicking away any excess moisture while you sleep. We personally love the Woolroom Deluxe washable duvet for all seasons.

Silk: Silk is much lighter weight than other natural fillings. It's also durable, hypoallergenic and helps regulate body temperature. It also washes well in the washing machine.

Synthetic fillings

Synthetic duvets, also known as non-allergenic duvets, are a great option if you have a sensitivity towards down, dust mites or feathers. The synthetic fibres also detract sweat, are easy to care for and can be washed much more regularly than natural fillings.

Hollowfibre: This type of duvet filling is made with hollow fibres therefore it can easily keep in the warmth. They are thicker, hardwearing and often coated with an anti-allergy treatment.

Microfibre: It is created with extra fine fibres to make a high-quality duvet that feels equally as luxurious as natural down filling duvets. They’re also lighter than natural duvets.

How to choose a duvet - what tog duvet should I get?

A tog rating informs you on how warm the duvet is and how insulating it will feel to sleep in. Having the right tog rating will help to regulate your body temperature and sleep better through the seasons.

The Tog rating scale starts at a cool 1.5 tog to a very warm 15 tog. We will explain which tog you should get for the seasons.

Summer duvets: If you are looking for duvets that will benefit you when sleeping in hotter weather then a 2.5 to 6 tog is ideal for the summer months. It offers less insulation and will keep you feeling cool. If you get very warm when you sleep, then this would be an ideal tog for all year.

Spring and autumn duvets: For mild weather, you will want to look for a duvet that has a 7 to 10.5 tog will keep you warmer when the nights are chillier. If your house is well insulated, then this tog rating will be enough to keep you warm throughout the winter months as well, making them ideal if you don't want to change your duvet each season.

Winter duvet: If your house gets very cold in the winter it may be a good idea for you to invest in a 12 to 13.5 tog duvet. They are cosy and will keep you warm for freezing winter nights.

All-season duvet: This duvet is a cost-effective option, it comes with two duvets in one, a summer tog duvet and an autumn tog. Although as they are two duvets be sure that you have somewhere to store it before purchasing.

How to choose a duvet - what size duvet should you get?

The rule tends to be to buy the same size duvet as your bed - so buy a double duvet for a double bed etc.

However, you may find that going up a size to a larger duvet works better for you (for example if your partner steals the duvet in the night!)

Do be aware if you decide to go for a larger duvet, that it will hang lower over your bed frame - so if you have a low bed it could be worth measuring to make sure it won't drag on the floor.

These are the sizes of duvets available:

Cot: 120cmx150cm

Single: 135cmx200cm

Double: 200cmx200cm

King: 230cmx220cm

Super King: 260cmx220cm

Emperor size: 290cmx235cm

EllenKinsey is a Senior Health and Wellness Product Writer and has been a part of Bauer Media since 2020. She primarily covers topics on natural health and beauty, sustainable living, wellness, and spirituality.